Illustrating her developing songwriting pedigree as a finalist in the 2024 MLT Songwriting Award competition, Karra Rhodes is a natural storyteller, making country music that resonates with authenticity and meaning. Scottish-born but these days very much at home in Te Waipounamu, her latest single Losing Him is about moving on from a major relationship, and was included on NZ On Air Music‘s June NewTracks compilation. 

What is your name, and what instruments do you play?

Karra Gil is my given name, but I tend to keep that for my day career. Karra Rhodes just had a better ring to it for music, I liked the thought of mixing the country Rhodes with the piano brand Rhodes! Guitar was my first instrument, and then in the last three years I have taught myself the piano, which I find I enjoy writing songs over more.

Where do you live?

Currently we are living in Selwyn, southwest of Christchurch. Close to the mountains in a small village where everyone knows everyone, which for me is perfect. It has those real small community and close vibes. I have two young children and two dogs and live with my partner – we have quite a simple life outside of the music, but make really spontaneous decisions about how we spend our time. One moment it will feel really quiet and the next we will be in Europe, or off on a road trip!

Any other music projects that we might know you from?

I have always kept my music under my own name, but I do also love writing with other musicians. In time there might be some songs that come out that I helped write for them or with them.

What’s the background story of how your solo artist gig came to be?

I have always written songs, but quietly. I was the kind of person who’d write something, sing it to the walls, and hide it away. Performing honestly terrified me! Then one day, I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I sent some of my songs to a producer I admired, and to my surprise, he was into it. He sort of really pushed me and believed in me. That gave me the push I needed to stop hiding and start showing up as a solo artist.

How did you settle on your artist name?

Well at one time I did have a list of names that I liked. I actually found the names recently and some of them… gosh I am glad I did not choose as I cringe at them now. I even had Karra Electra at one point; like what on earth was I thinking? But I loved how classic and almost graceful Karra Rhodes sounded and really leaned into that country side of thing with country roads, but then put it together with the keyboard brand spelling.  

You’ve worked as a ghost writer and have said that you’d like to become known as a songwriter.

Writing is my skill beyond anything else that I do. I love the power of messing around with lyrics / rhymes that shouldn’t work and making a story out of nothing. I have even written a few novels (one of them published – a romantasy book that I wrote way before they hype of romantasy existed aha!). I just love the power of words and how you can produce something from nothing. 
My main goal in this industry is to be a songwriter as opposed to a performer, but I am kind of realising for now they go hand in hand. But one day I would like to work with much bigger and more skilled artists than I am and help them write some songs. That’s the goal for me. I quite like being behind closed doors away from the attention, it makes me nervous, but as I said, for now, they go hand in hand – until I reach the level where musicians perhaps seek me out to write with them.

How much, if any, music influence still comes through from your Scottish ancestry?

I grew up surrounded by Scottish folk and Celtic music, it’s always had this beautiful, haunting pull for me. There’s a lullaby feel to a lot of it, and I’d find myself humming those melodies constantly. I even asked my producer to add some subtle Celtic elements to one of my album tracks, and it turned into something really unexpected and cool. Scottish music tells stories  and that’s something I’ve carried into my own songwriting.
Also, fun fact: every time my Glaswegian side of the family gets together, the guitars come out after a few drinks and suddenly it’s a full-on singalong.

What’s been the big music career highlight to date?

To be honest, all of it. I never expected this music journey, it wasn’t what I set out to do and I am still taken aback by everything that comes my way, and forever grateful and very shocked. For me being a finalist in the MLT Songwriting competition down at the Country Music Honours last year was one of my favourite career highlights. It was the first songwriting competition I had every entered and it felt like a way of being accepted into the music industry. I’m not sure that makes sense, but it gave me the courage to keep pushing and made me feel like it was the right direction and maybe I was ready for it. 
Headlining for the Hororata Glow Festival was a huge privilege, it was in Selwyn and it was a chance to give back to the area where I live.

What makes Losing Him stand out for you as a single?

I am really proud of the lyrics and the story telling in this song. I feel it hits on familiar topics to people when we have left behind a relationship, and it also captures that feeling of leaving behind not just them but also their family, and perhaps the friends you built together. I feel like it is the most amount of words I could pack into a song before it turned into a rap song! For me it really is the songwriting in this one that I was most proud of.

What is the story behind Losing Him?

Losing Him is actually a continuation of the song I released before that – See What She’s Worth. It’s sort of the what came after and encapsulating the moment of leaving. I actually did leave a relationship in this style in the past, so for me every line has a meaning.
For a lot of people who might have had rough relationships, perhaps they understand the whole leaving in the middle of the night moments, aha! But I was young and wild back then. But it’s a great story for the song.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the track?

Lyrics; ‘I didn’t even get to wish his mama goodbye, god I hopes she knows how hard it was, that I really tried, I love her like my own, but even I can’t condone…’
I also love the build up in the last chorus and how soft it goes in the outro chorus – definitely my favourite part of the song.

Who did you record/produce the single with and where? 

I wrote it solo, a classic over-thinker at the piano! But once I took it into the studio with Greg Haver, it came alive. Greg’s got this ability to hear things I’d never think of, and he really brings my ideas to life.
Funny behind-the-scenes aspect though, when I perform this one live, there’s so little space to breathe I literally have to choose, “Do I breathe here, or do I swallow?” Can’t do both!

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

I want them to feel brave. Leaving something, or someone, behind is terrifying, especially when it’s tied to a whole life you built. But sometimes you’ve got to floor it, not look back, and trust there’s something better out there.

Who else is in your team?

Greg Haver helped produce it, the BigPop team up in Auckland have publishing rights over it. And I have the amazing Katie Thompson who has been helping me with the project management side of things. I have also recently found a videographer who has helped capture moments for this song, Outrun Creatives.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for?

I will be releasing an album soon (‘Hometown Therapy’), but I am not rushing it, right now I am trying to give the tracks some life and enjoy the lead up to it. I also really want to be working more on songwriting and co-writing with other artists – that’s my big aim.  For now, it’s just building up a huge catalogue of originals and growing what I already have.  I am also upping my game with live performances trying to perform in venues that mean something to me.

Back in 2024 you were studying for law exams. Which is the hobby?

Ooooh that is a tough one – both of them hold an equal place in my heart. I am a family law / litigation lawyer now and I feel the difference I get to make with my clients. I get to work with vulnerable people who are scared and nervous, and I get to make that big difference. I care so much about every client and for me that is the point of the job.

But music releases that creative side of me that I feel sometimes, with my job, I don’t get the chance to. I live and breathe music, every moment I feel lyrics and song ideas come to my mind and I can’t wait to note them down. I think I honestly couldn’t lose either – so neither is the hobby!

Can you name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside yours.

Katie Thompson – Do You Think of Me
Jenny Mitchell – Wildfires
Kaylee Bell – Take It To The Highway

All powerhouse women, and all writing songs that hit right in the chest.

Have any of your previous single releases been included on NewTracks?

Yes, the following songs have also been on New Tracks: Why can’t I love you less – March 2024; Burn It Down – June 2024; See What She’s Worth – March 2025
So beyond grateful for these songs being included – it always means so so so much. And again, it never ceases me surprise me when I see my track listed!

Have you previously applied for / received NZOA funding? If so was there any NZOA criterion you struggled with in the application? 

I am actually about to apply – I finally have my 10 points! And I would love it if anyone could reach out and give me some advice on the matter! I want to make sure I get my application right. It is o hard to get together enough funding, I mean currently I am a baby lawyer – we don’t get paid a lot at that stage, so it feels sometimes I am working just to pay the music bills that come in. It would make a huge difference and open up some opportunities that haven’t been available to me before.

I had just reached 5,000 streams on any one song, and they upped it to 10,000 just as I reached that former amount. I think there is quite a high criteria, but it makes sense – you have to show you want it. You have to stick around and push for it show that you want it enough for them to put the time and money into you – I understand that.

Have you got any advice around seeking funding for others who are starting out? 

Keep going, it really is the fact that consistency is key. Even when you are scared and nervous and feel like everyone out there knows what they are doing, or what they want or who they are, and you are still figuring it out – keep going and keep trying. The funding points might seem far out of reach, but if you keep going and chipping away at it, sometimes you will hit two points in one go. If it can happen to me (which I hope it will soon), then believe me when I say it can happen for you and to you.

How can we find you on social media? 

Instagram is the main one I use. This is where you will find so many clips of songs I have made, usually on the day I make them and I uploaded them there. It is like a time capsule in so many ways – Karra Rhodes (@karra_rhodes) • Instagram photos and videos  I have also just started using Facebook for my music – not great, I’m still working on it!
My website Karra Rhodes
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify

Any last words?

Thank you for having me be a part of NZ Musician. I think for me, last words are for any musicians out there; be you and be unique. Don’t look to what others are doing unless it is for a bit of inspiration, but make sure you keep doing what works for you and what makes you you. There’s so much mainstream out there now, it’s okay to be a little bit different and fall outside of the usual categories.